FAIRHOPE, Alabama -- Because of her positive experiences outside, Libbie Dobbs of Fairhope has devoted her career to helping and protecting the environment she enjoyed so much growing up.

“I have always had the desire to make the world better,” Dobbs said. “The psychological and physical benefits of being outside have steered me in that direction so that all the future generations can enjoy the outdoors like I have."

When she was younger, Dobbs said she enjoyed time spent outside with her parents.

“I hiked with my parents growing up — we did that a lot,” Dobbs said. “And in college I started doing wilderness backpacking trips.

In December 2009, Dobbs graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in environmental policy and analysis. Since her graduation, she has worked in Houston and now currently works in Fairhope.

Dobbs’ desire to gain experience working with an environmental nonprofit organization brought her to Fairhope as she was chosen for the position through the AmeriCorps VISTA program to work as a staff member for the Trailblazers.

“Trailblazers is a nonprofit,” Dobbs said. “We focus on construction of multi-use trails. I do a lot of grant writing, and fundraising. I wear a lot of different hats.”

She said, specifically, the organization focuses on the Eastern Shore trail, which starts at the Battleship and ends at Week’s Bay Reserve in Fairhope, making it 27 miles long. Right now, Dobbs said there is a mile and one-half gap that is not paved, so the organization is working on funding to finish that before it moves on to another project within the county.

Dobbs said she also helps with fundraising for the annual bike ride, “Le Tour de Foley,” in which the Trailblazers partner with the Foley Lion’s Club to offer different length races to about 300 cyclists across the Eastern Shore.

After completing her work with the program, Dobbs said she plans on applying to graduate school.

“AmeriCorps program only has a one-year long program, so in March next year my term will be up so I will be applying for grad school,” Dobbs said. “I am looking to continue in the non-profit sector.”

Dobbs said she plans on earning her master’s degree in public affairs with a specialty in environmental policy.

In addition to the outdoors, Dobbs said she loves animals and is active with animal rescue.

“I love animals,” Dobbs said. “They don’t have a voice when being mistreated. I think it is important to give them a voice, and it is important to find them homes.”

While in college, Dobbs said she worked at a humane society. She even fostered cats, which she now calls her own. Since moving to Fairhope, she has gotten involved with the Haven and enjoys walking dogs on the weekends, and has even helped with “Share the Beach” in Gulf Shores by assisting newly hatched sea turtles make their way to the gulf.

“It is the best feeling to help animals that have been discarded and get them back to health,” Dobbs said. “It can be very emotionally draining, but rewarding. It’s worth it, though.”